Powerless: Aeos Book One

by Sarah Anne Fields

  Detrick glanced up at the pendulum clock on the left wall. Five after. He and his parents looked at each other anxiously. The crowd was growing restless as James stood there. Murmuring began to rise slowly.

  Finally, at long last, James cleared his throat loudly, raised his head…and spoke. “Instead of tonight’s sermon, brothers and sisters, I’ll be discussing something else. But before I get to that…I want to express how deeply I’ve cherished my position. These past fifteen years have been—” A paladin stationed at the base of the podium cleared her throat loudly, signaling James to get on with it.

  He sighed deeply. “My fellow Aeosians and my beloved congregation, the time has come for me to reveal a terrible truth about myself. In doing this, I hope to appease my—our—great Mother Lilith with a confession that’s well overdue. The truth is, I’m not the man you think I am, and I’ve betrayed all of your trust.”

  Some gasping and chatter surfaced from the crowd. Here we go, Detrick thought. No going back now.

  “For the past two and a half years, I’ve been at the head of an organization called the Coalition for a Liberated Aeos. This organization seeks to eradicate the paladins who watch our streets, and ultimately to topple the Union altogether.

  “I realize this sentences me to an eternity at Silas’ mercy, and I’m ready to accept that fate. I cannot fathom what’s going through your minds at this moment, but above all I ask that you understand just how serious a crime I have committed.” With each word James had to speak louder and louder as the mumbling from the crowd transitioned to frustration and yelling.

  Detrick’s heart tore as tears began streaming down James’ face. The congregation was spitting insults and curses at him…but onward he spoke.

  “I gladly await my extermination, for I can no longer bear to live with the knowledge of the…monumental evil I’ve allowed myself to commit. I leave you now with this final thought: Any and all who betray Lilith the Begetter risk the Union’s wrath. That is all. I’m…I’m sorry.”

  A new round of shouts and sobs filled the Temple as James was restrained and ushered away by a couple of paladins. Detrick dropped his face into his hands. That sealed it—he’d ruined a life. Up to this point, anything could have happened to change the course of James’ fate. But now that the public had witnessed his confession, nothing could be done to save the man.

  People began rising from their seats, all in a tizzy over what they’d just seen. Some looked confused, no doubt since night church had ended so abruptly. Detrick spotted Conner a few pews back to the left, glowering ahead and still as a statue.

  The next stage of the plan was that instead of being safely jailed at the Citadel, away from the scrutiny of his former flock, James and his family would remain at their home under house arrest, to serve as a stern reminder to all who passed by. And so it would remain until the day James was put to death. Another of Victoria’s malicious ideas.

  * * *

  Detrick pushed open the door to Timberworks the following morning. Gavin and Gwenith were behind the counter discussing something. They both turned toward Detrick, smiled faintly, and Gavin pointed toward the back door to indicate that Conner was in the workshop out back.

  The workshop was twice the size of the store out front, but half of it was crowded with materials—slabs of varying types of wood, shelves of tools and oils. Conner was seated at a table against the back wall, hunched over something he was chiseling. A small radio on one of the shelves was playing static-filled big band music, probably from a station way down in Kilena, the province to the south. Briar didn’t produce any public radio.

  “Hey, whatcha working on?” Detrick asked.

  Conner jumped, startled by Detrick’s sudden appearance. He hastily threw a cover over the mysterious project and stumbled to find a reply. “Oh, uh. Work. You know how it is. Want to grab some lunch? I’m starving.” He gently grabbed Detrick by the shoulder and led him out of the workshop before Detrick could even answer.

  He cast a final glance at what Conner had covered up. It was about two feet long, with a peculiar shape. He narrowed his eyes curiously, but soon it was out of sight.

  A few minutes later found Detrick and Conner seated in the pub sharing a small charcuterie board and drinking a couple of ales. Conner was acting a little standoffish today, and it was irking Detrick. “So…crazy night last night huh?” he asked cautiously as he reached for a slice of bread.

  “Wild,” said Conner flatly without looking at him. “I guess you never know who could be leading a double life.”

  Detrick’s stomach lurched at this, and he saw that Conner was looking at him oddly. “Oh, yeah. For sure.”

  “Sort of…came out of nowhere, even.”

  “I suppose.” Detrick leaned against the back of the booth, studying Conner. He was expecting him to be eager to talk about what had happened. Surely something like the CLA was in line with his interests? “What’s with you today?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound too harsh.

  Conner set his mug of ale down sharply, causing the only other patron to shoot over a curious look. “What’s with me? I don’t know. I guess I’m just wondering if I’m wasting my time.”

  “Wasting your time with what?” What on earth was going on with him?

  Conner shook his head dismissively, apparently done with the conversation. If one could even call that a conversation.

  They ate in awkward silence for the remainder of the meal, then paid and walked over to sit on the Temple steps and people watch for a few minutes. Neither knew what to say to the other, so they sat in silence.

  “So, I have a question,” Conner said at last.

  “Shoot.”

  “I was reading the Doctrines yesterday, since I had to spend the day in the Temple. Towards the end it talks about what will happen to people who follow Silas, or to those who deny Lilith.”

  “Yeah…”

  “It says they’ll lose their physical body and their mind will exist forever in permanent darkness, to be forever tormented by Silas. Is that what you believe will happen to me?”

  “I haven’t given it a ton of thought,” Detrick said. And that was true. But however much he cared for Conner, it was inevitable that after Conner died, he’d be banished to Silas’ realm. It was something he didn’t want to happen, but Detrick couldn’t change the way of the world. “I guess I have to believe that.” Detrick felt like such an asshole as he said this.

  “And you’re okay with that? You’re okay believing a really good friend of yours is doomed to spend eternity that way, while you and everyone else frolic around in the Grove of Lilith?”

  “Well, no, I’m not okay with it. I just figure that eventually you’ll…I don’t know, change your mind?”

  Conner sat up straight and raised his eyebrows. “Really? So, you’re just biding your time letting me ride out my rebellious phase, is that it?”

  Detrick shook his head. “That’s not what I meant!” He’d never considered Conner a rebellious person. Passionate and perhaps cynical, but never intentionally rebellious for rebellion’s sake.

  Conner sighed, relaxing his posture. “I don’t know, Detrick. Maybe we’re too different.”

  “Yeah.” He was well aware of this. But he still wanted to be around Conner as much as possible. When they weren’t arguing about religion or politics, there was nowhere else in the world he wanted to be. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

  “Perhaps. I have another question for you, though, and please be honest.”

  “Alright.”

  “Is there…something you’re hiding from me?” Conner looked at Detrick expectantly, the same way one might when waiting for an apology.

  “Like what?”

  “You tell me.”

  Detrick raised his hands and shrugged, indicating that he didn’t know what Conner expected him to say. Obviously, yes, there was a massive secret he was keeping. But there was no way Conner would know that. And the trouble Detrick would be
in if he revealed that secret would be enormous. So, no, he had nothing to tell him. “I’m sorry, man. I really don’t know what to say.”

  Conner stared at Detrick for a moment longer, and then apparently came to a decision. “Fine. So be it. I think we should take a break for a while, Detrick. I’m sorry.” And with that, Conner rose to his feet and left him alone on the steps.

  “Conner, wait!” Detrick leaped to his feet, meaning to chase after Conner, but Conner waved him off like annoying bug.

  Detrick sank back to the steps and let his face fall into his hands, knowing this might very well be the last of their friendship. And he knew it was his fault.

  CHAPTER 11

  AWAKENING

  It had been three long months since Detrick had seen or spoken to Conner. And it had been the hardest three months of his life. Throughout April and May, they’d been inseparable. He missed Conner so much it was almost annoying. Several times he’d grown angry and thought of storming into Timberworks demanding to speak to him, giving him a lecture about maturity and the fact that their differences shouldn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. Because they’d had so much fun together. When they’d been kids, it had been the same way. And then the Union had torn them apart. How infuriating that they were indirectly responsible for it happening a second time, and it was enough to make Detrick want to renounce his position and leave town so the Union could never find him.

  * * *

  Every Aeosian who declared fealty to Lilith and the Union was eagerly awaiting September 1st, the 321st Catharsis. To those living in the province of Briar, however, all they received on that day was massive disappointment, as their Grand Magistrate had become bedridden. Detrick and his parents learned from Kellis via radio that Victoria had been approached time and again with the alternative of allowing another Grand Magistrate to take her place, but she refused. As a result, Catharsis would be put on hold until further notice. Detrick wondered if this was due to her heart condition. Kellis hadn’t given a reason, and Detrick couldn’t help but be suspicious about it.

  Though many were upset about the delay, Detrick figured the Morleys were probably overjoyed, even if they’d been subject to near-constant scorn and ridicule. On multiple occasions, the paladins who were posted outside their door had difficulty keeping the townspeople from hurling insults and rotten food at their windows.

  Detrick was growing increasingly uncomfortable with it all. He’d always agreed with bringing criminals to justice, but this just seemed unnecessary and cruel. Through it all though, he tried to put his qualms with how Victoria ran her province aside, as it was still his ultimate goal to rise through the ranks and become a Magistrate himself.

  * * *

  Soon autumn was transforming Edgewood into a mosaic of maroon and saffron. The Lismores were busy all week gathering baskets full of apples before handing them off to a delivery truck for distribution around Briar. A representative of the Briar Magistrate of Farms and Crops stopped by around the same time to inspect the health of the trees and mark down the number of bushels they’d produced. Detrick always thought they must have led the most boring lives, and there was no part of him that envied their work.

  On Detrick’s eighteenth birthday, he showed up at the Temple and studied the Doctrines from sunup to sundown. Since Victoria was still bedridden and life was at a standstill, he’d taken to reading the Doctrines during his free time, studying its messages intently. He learned that the many nebulas that dotted the sky were manifestations of different parts of Lilith, though they all had their own names and identities. Detrick was particularly fascinated by one called the Weeping Wolf, who mourned Lilith’s children’s misfortunes. It fascinated Detrick how a creature as powerful and feared as a wolf could feel such pity.

  The old man who’d taken James’ place as the town Cleric came to check on him a few times throughout the day. Detrick was sure the only reason the Cleric had paid him any mind was to ensure he was actually reading. The man didn’t look like he’d ever smiled in his life.

  Detrick left the Temple later that night and saw the Weeping Wolf to the northwest. Its great indigo-and-violet head hung low, and a dusting of faint stars dotted the area below its closed eye, depicting its tears. As he began the journey home, he bundled up his coat and buried his hands in his pockets. With each crunch of cold dirt below his feet, he felt a faint, growing sting in his heart. He understood why he’d been so taken with the Weeping Wolf. He missed Conner dearly. It had been months, and he still couldn’t shake it. Aside from the massive secret he was hiding from Conner that kept him chained to the Union, there was no other person who’d ever made him feel so carefree. But that was in the past now. He had no choice but to press on, to appease Victoria and the Union, and to ensure that he and his parents carried out their mission with nothing but success.

  * * *

  One early October afternoon, Detrick was seated in his living room with James and his parents, and a paladin stood in the corner of the room with her arms folded. They were all participating in their weekly radio conference with Victoria and Kellis. Victoria was clearly having a hard time carrying on their conversation, as she could hardly speak a word without coughing.

  “Grand Magistrate, with all due respect, I don’t see how it’s necessary for my family to stay in that house a moment longer. We’re taunted day and night by the town,” James said angrily. “I understand my life is forfeit, but there’s no reason to subject my wife and daughter to this.”

  “Mr. Morley,” said Victoria, her voice straining, “last I checked, your entire family owed us a debt, not just yourself. This is the nature of the beast, I’m afraid.” She ended her statement with more violent coughing.

  James began to protest more, but an abrupt knock on the door took everyone by surprise.

  Victoria and Kellis had ceased talking, while Detrick’s parents looked downright frightened. James and the paladin were merely curious.

  “Uh, right. I’ll get that,” Detrick assured the group as he leaped to his feet. His dad discreetly turned down the volume on the radio. Making quickly for the door, Detrick went over several excuses in his head that he could tell whoever it was about why none of them were available right now. But as it turned out, it wasn’t quite enough time…

  “Conner?” Detrick said through the door after cracking it open. He was certain the surprise he felt at seeing him was plastered all over his face. “Uh. Listen. I’ll be out later. It’s not a good time.”

  “Why not?” Conner asked as he tried to peek inside. Detrick had to reduce the opening of the door to a mere sliver to hide the group. “What’s going on in there? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Listen, I’ll come up to the shop later if you want, but it’s not a good time right now.” Detrick tried to convey the seriousness of the situation with his eyes as best he could, since he could elaborate no further.

  “Detrick, I just want to talk. Only for a moment. Please?”

  He couldn’t say no to the guy. Against his better judgment, and to the surprise of the onlookers in Detrick’s living room, he slipped outside. “It’s so good to see you,” he said quietly. And oh, how it was. He wanted to hug Conner and never let him go. Their absence had been an ailment to Detrick, and Conner had just cured him.

  “I wanted to talk about our situation,” Conner said, his hands in his coat pockets. It must not have been all bad, because the expression on his face looked apologetic, almost hopeful. It made Detrick’s heart melt.

  “I’d love that,” Detrick replied, his mouth turning up against his will. He knew he must have looked like a desperate moron trying to hide his glee, but he couldn’t help it. “I’ll come find you later, okay? I’ve got a bit of a…family emergency right now.”

  Detrick assured Conner that he’d head up to the shop that evening, and so Conner agreed to leave. Detrick watched him walk back up the road, then went inside and shut the door. Detrick’s dad switched the volume back on as Detrick took his seat.
/>   “Who was that?” Victoria demanded.

  “Just a friend.” He’d be fed to the wolves if Victoria knew the seriousness of his relationship with someone like Conner, who already had a reputation.

  “That was Conner Wicklow, your eminence,” James happily interjected.

  “Hey!” Detrick yelled.

  “Conner Wicklow?” Victoria asked faintly. “That name sounds familiar. You seem upset by this, Detrick. Why should it bother you that we know who your friend is?”

  “It doesn’t bother me, Grand Magistrate. I just—”

  “He sees that kid almost every day,” said James, with a smirk.

  Detrick was back on his feet, ready to defend himself. “What is wrong with you? For your information, it’s been months since we’ve— I mean— What is wrong with you?” He wanted to clock that cheeky smile right off James’ face.

  “Detrick, just sit down,” his mom pleaded.

  “No! Look at this asshole. He’s doing it on purpose!”

  James looked absolutely pleased with himself.

  “Enough!” Victoria yelled. “We’ll continue this meeting later. I’ve had enough for today. Mr. Ender, please turn off the radio.” And the meeting was ended.

  “Why on earth did you do that?” Detrick demanded of James.

  James rose from the couch and motioned for the paladin to escort him back home. He stopped at the door and turned around. “You people deserve all the comeuppance you can get. Even if it won’t win me back my own life, I can at least inconvenience yours when the moment calls for it. Have a good night.” With that, he left the house, flanked by the paladin.

  Detrick cast a single glance at both his parents before grabbing his gray pea coat from the closet and following James outside, slamming the door behind him. He saw James and the paladin making their way up the road toward town, but instead of following them, he turned left and began walking down the road at a grueling pace. The skies were a deep ashen gray, and the wind was swirling the fallen leaves about like a dozen miniature cyclones.